Faculty panel considers creation of international studies major

Faculty from several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences are collaborating to help bring a new, broad-based major in what they hope will better involve students in the global community.\nA panel of six faculty assembled Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union's Frangipani Room to field questions about the recently conceptualized international studies major.\nThe proposal is scheduled to be reviewed in the spring by Indiana's Higher Education Commission, and the panel addressed the viability of the proposed major as an extension of IU's historical strength in areas of international study.\nPatrick O'Meara, dean of International Programs, said the proposed major is "timely for the Bloomington campus," and stressed the importance of consensus among students and faculty, in addition to solid organization. O'Meara said it will take the initiatives of students to create a "rich, intellectual experience thus far merely tapped into with the international studies minor."\nAssociate Professor of History Jeffrey Wasserstrom echoed O'Meara's sentiments. \n"We must encourage students to become critically engaged in the global community," he said. "They should not just accept the increasing trend of globalization; this major would provide them with a renewed relevance to this trend's history."\nThe status of the major as multidisciplinary, rather than department-exclusive, was touted in nearly every panelist's assessment of the program. Rudy Professor of French and Italian Rosemary Lloyd compared the proposed program to similar well-established curricula at Northwestern, Middlebury and Georgetown universities, which she said should provide an "interdisciplinary, diverse education fostering creative thinking."\nDenouncing the "grab-bag" approach, in which curriculum would be overly broad and ambiguous, the program would be designed to integrate aspects from many departments, yet with definite focus, O'Meara said.\n"We need to build on a deep immersion in one discipline, such as language or culture, and combine that foundation with required courses in a second field," Wasserstrom said. He added such an approach would encourage examination of international interactions by providing contrasting viewpoints.\n"This major also has a practical angle," said Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Development Michael McGerr, who moderated the talk. "As freshmen, it's often difficult for a student to see all of his or her options. This is a broad-based program that's ideal for those students with international interests unsure of what next step to pursue."\nBut those on the panel said the technical difficulties associated with such a program are numerous. They said because of the multidisciplinary nature of the proposed program, the major must not foster exclusivity and center around one single department. They said challenges lie in determining applicability to graduate school and in creating a work experience or overseas study to complement the major's practical requirements.\n"This major will prepare a student for all sorts of careers and professional schools," McGerr said. "Our mission is to prepare students to succeed; it's clear that a liberal arts foundation is a practical education that equips students with the skills needed to do just that. This major addresses a real need, centered around a flexible approach to world affairs"